“For most of my adult life I’ve mostly been well-read and spoke fairly well,” Madril said. “But I was never able to transfer my thoughts to paper. It was real simple stuff, simple, small words. A sentence did not have a beginning or an end. Fragments every place, no punctuation at all.”
Nearly 10 years into his second career, now as a truck driver, Madril seized a life-changing opportunity with Newport Beach Public Library’s Literacy Services program. He did better than learn how to write. He won the program’s Rochelle Hoffman Award Thursday.
But it was clear standing front of more than 100 well-wishers applauding him that he would have felt more comfortable sending the library a handwritten thank-you note.
“My initial reaction was to decline it. I don’t particularly like to bring attention to myself,” Madril said of the award, which recognizes one person a year for their progress and dedication in the literacy program. “It was never about me receiving accolades. It was about learning something.”
Madril’s tutoring started with the fundamentals two years ago: spelling and short sentences. He might read a newspaper article then have to write a summary of it that his tutor, Lauren Klein, would check over.
“The transformation in his writing has been remarkable, and totally impressive. You have ultimately changed your life and enriched mine,” Klein told him at Thursday’s ceremony.
Madril choked up as he explained how doing things most people take for granted means so much when you can’t do them.
“To be able to write a card and send it to a friend, instead of calling them. It’s a world of difference,” Madril told the audience.
“To be able to leave my son or wife a note and they know what I’m talking about without having to call me and say ‘What did you want?’ It’s a big change in my life.”
Days earlier Madril was asked to reflect on why he didn’t get help in school, why he passed on pursuing real estate or business after high school.
“I didn’t realize the advantages I was throwing out the door,” he said. “I had the opportunities. I just didn’t take advantage of them.”
As far as how Madril feels now: It’s better late than never.
The Newport Beach library’s literacy program can be reached at (949) 717-3874.
